World Premiere – 19-03-2016

Imperial Theatre, Saint John NB

Choreography - Igor Dobrovolskiy Music - Vivaldi's Four Seasons

It begins in Winter — a man who is found in ice. He is from another time and finds himself in contemporary life. Everything is strange, unusual, fast paced. Spring is discovery and curiosity, Summer is knowledge, Fall is experience and maturity and winter comes again bringing disappointment and a new beginning.

Susan Chalmers-Gauvin

Founder and CEO

We are leveraging creative excellence and innovative approaches to promote positive change in the creative sector, the social sector and the wider community.

Susan Chalmers-Gauvin is a strategic, results-driven leader with over twenty (25) years of management experience. A proud Ambassador and promoter of her home province, in Canada and throughout the world Ms. Chalmers-Gauvin has been responsible for the strategic, organizational and financial development of the Company since its establishment in 2001, including significant and continuous growth in both public and private sector investment and the establishment of innovative regional and national programs that have had a positive impact on the quality of life of Canadians from coast to coast.

Ms. Chalmers Gauvin is a recipient of Top 50 CEO’s Award (2015). In 2013 she received Canada’s TOP 100 Award: Canada’s Most Powerful Women, by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN). She received a Honourary Doctor of Letters from University of New Brunswick (2012) and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award (2009).

A strong proponent of the many ways the arts can foster social and community transformation, Ms. Chalmers-Gauvin’s commitment to community, inclusivity and respect for diversity are evidenced throughout her career. She has successfully immigrated highly skilled professional dancers from around the world to live, work and settle in New Brunswick. She has eight (8) years of experience providing strategic counsel and program development expertise to First Nations communities and numerous non-government organizations in her previous role as President of Stellar Consulting. She has also held leadership positions within the health care sector.

A passionate promoter of the value and contribution the arts make to the social, economic and cultural landscape of our communities, Susan Chalmers-Gauvin is a frequent guest speaker on the topics of performing arts management, the importance of Canadian arts and culture to our regional, municipal and national economies; and the key role the arts play in enriching the quality of life in our communities. In this capacity she also serves on a number of Boards.

—Susan Chalmers-Gauvin

Igor Dobrovolskiy

Igor Dobrovolskiy

Founding Artistic Director and Choreographer

I want the audience to come away with something personal – to see the beauty of the work, the dancers and the aesthetic – but also experience a personal exploration, so that they recognize themselves in the dance – their own relationships and narratives. These are the touch points of accessibility, connectivity and of understanding each other as a community.

Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada Igor Dobrovolskiy immigrated to Canada with his wife Yuliia in 2000. He is an award winning director and one of Canada’s most prolific choreographers—having created eleven full length ballets, one one-act ballet and 48 short works to date for Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada. Igor Dobrovolskiy’s creative work catapulted Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, on to the international stage. Beginning in 2006 Dobrovolskiy’s works created for the company have toured regularly through-out Europe- Belgium, Switzerland, France and Germany and the United States.

Igor Dobrovolskiy’s works weave dramatic narrative with inventive choreography to create powerful, emotional and lyrical forms which explore the human condition. Drawing on an extensive musical and literary background, as well as his experience as a dancer, teacher and choreographer, Mr. Dobrovolskiy uses the solid foundation of classical ballet technique as a springboard for an expressive dance lexicon limited only by his boundless imagination.

Igor Dobrovolskiy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in pedagogy of ballet, dance and choreography from the Kiev National University of the Arts. His professional career has taken him across Europe, and South America. Collaborating with like-minded artists attracted by his vision and his artistic philosophy, Mr. Dobrovolskiy has created a work environment which has become a focus for exploration and discovery. His creative team, many of whom have worked with him for several years, nurture connections between seemingly unrelated elements to create organic works which blend all creative components.

Mr. Dobrovolskiy’s creations present an integrated structure influenced by literature, film, theatre, the visual arts and new media. Set, costume, lighting, music and choreography are all intrinsic to the work. Set pieces and props are not merely decorative components but become developed elements which are integrated in collaboration with a full creative team for each production.

He has built a company of high artistic standard and international appeal which has resulted in a loyal and growing audience nationally and globally.